The Delhi High Court has rejected a public interest litigation (PIL) that questioned the appointment of Dr. Subhransu Sekhar Acharya as the Chairman-cum-Managing Director of the National Small Industries Development Corporation Limited (NSIDC).

Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet PS Arora, constituting a division bench, stated that in matters concerning service, a PIL is not acceptable, and only those who have not been appointed can challenge the legality of the appointment or extension procedure.

The court rejected the plea filed by Saddam Ali, deeming it lacking in merit. Ali contested the appointment, arguing that it contravened the advertisement dated July 11, 2023, issued by the Union Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

His argument centered on the advertisement's specification that "internal candidates" must have a minimum length of service of one year in the eligible scale, while others should have two years as of the date of the post's advertisement.

He contended that Acharya did not qualify as an "internal candidate" and therefore was obligated to meet the condition of having a minimum length of service of two years in the eligible scale.

“Having heard the learned counsel for the Petitioner, we are not inclined to entertain the present PIL,” the court said. Citing several legal precedents, the court dismissed the plea, explicitly stating that it had not rendered any judgment on the merits of the issues raised in the PIL.

Counsel for Petitioner: Mr. Sanobar Ali Qureshi and Ms. Shobhna Sharma, Advs

Counsel for Respondents: Mr. Ripu Daman Bhardwaj, CGSC with Mr. Kushagra Kumar, Advocate for UOI

Title: SADDAM ALI v. UNION OF INDIA & ORS.